Tongue Cleaning for Bad Breath

Oral malodor experts tell us that tongue cleaning for bad breath is the single most important preventative step we can take. Why? Because the offensive odor associated with bad breath is produced by bacteria living in the mouth and vast numbers of these bacteria actually live and reproduce on the surface of the tongue. Many details are still unknown about halitosis causes and cures, but this much is documented scientific fact.

The relationship between halitosis and tongue bacteria came to light as soon as it was understood that anaerobic bacteria - just one group among the many types of bacteria that normally inhabit the mouth - produce foul smelling volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) as a byproduct of protein metabolism. Anaerobes thrive in locations where there is very little or no oxygen: decreasing the number and area of those locations decreases the number of anaerobes and is the basis of the logic that tongue cleaning for bad breath is effective.

The architecture of the back of the tongue provides ideal habitat for anaerobic bacteria. There, the tongue surface is grooved and divided creating deep crevices where anaerobes produce halitosis and tongue coatings of mucous that help to protect these bacteria from harmful oxygen. Tongue cleaning for bad breath not only removes the mucous, exposing more surface area to oxygen, it also physically removes a lot of the bacteria. In an otherwise healthy mouth, this may represent the majority of anaerobes that are present.

Tongue cleaning for bad breath involves either gently brushing or scraping the surface of the tongue, especially the area furthest back. If you open your mouth and extend your tongue, you will likely see a whitish coating toward the back - this is the coating you need to remove. Proceed gently so as not to damage the delicate tissues of the tongue - some people use a toothbrush and scrub gently; others use a small inverted spoon, but you can also purchase tongue scrapers designed specifically for the task of breaking the cycle of halitosis and tongue anaerobes. If you suffer from halitosis and intend to make tongue cleaning a regular habit, the minimal cost of a tongue cleaner is well worth it.

The Language and Meaning of Flowers

Sweet flowers alone can say what passion fears revealing
Thomas Hood poem, The Language of Flowers

Flowers and bouquets of flowers have a meaning of their own. Most of us know that a dozen red roses means, “Be mine.” But did you know, for example, that a primrose means, “I can’t live without you,” or that a purple hyacinth means, “Please forgive me,” or that a pink carnation means, “I’ll never forget you,” or that a gladiolus means, “Give me a break?”

Flower meanings have been used to convey ideas, feelings and messages for centuries. The word, floriography, has been coined for the assignment of meaning to flowers. There is a meaning to colors of flowers, to numbers of flowers, and to groups of flowers. It is a silent language that has been largely lost to us through lack of use.

In addition to the obvious choices of color and variety, the language of flowers also includes the way flowers are worn or presented. Presenting flowers upright conveys a positive meaning, but if they are presented upside down the meaning is the opposite. If a ribbon is included with the flowers and is tied to the left then the meaning of the flowers refers to the giver, but if the ribbon is tied to the right then the meaning refers to the recipient. Also, flowers can be used to answer questions. When they are presented with the right hand the answer is “yes,” but when presented with the left hand the answer is “no.”

History

The Turks in the 17th century seemed to develop flower meanings. In 1718 the wife of the British ambassador to Constantinople, Lady Mary Wortley, wrote a letter expounding on the “Secret Language of Flowers” that she had discovered during her visits to Turkey. Europe quickly picked up on the concept.

In 1819 Louise Cortambert, under the pen name, Madame Charlotte de la Tour, wrote and published what seems to have been the first dictionary of the flower language entitled, Le Language des Fleurs. It was a small book, but it became a popular reference on the subject.

During the Victorian era, the reign of Queen Victoria from 1837 to 1901, the meaning and language of flowers became increasingly popular. Victorian women especially picked up the silent language that allowed them to communicate feelings and meanings that the strict propriety of the times would not allow. Tussie-mussies, a bouquet of flowers wrapped with a lace doily and tied with a satin ribbon became a popular and valued gift of the times.

In 1884 a whole book on the subject and entitled, The Language of Flowers, by Jean Marsh and illustrated by Kate Greenaway, was published in London. It became popular and respected and has been the standard source for Victorian flower meaning ever since.

Selected Flower Meanings

Here are some selected flowers and their meanings, a short dictionary.

Almond flowers -- Hope
Anemone -- Forsaken
Aster -- Symbol of love
Balm -- Sympathy
Basil -- Best wishes
Bay leaf -- "I change but in death"
Bell flower, white -- Gratitude
Bergamot -- Irresistible
Bluebell -- Constancy
Borage -- Courage
Broom -- Humility
Campanula -- Gratitude
Carnation, pink -- I'll never forget you
Carnation, red -- My poor heart aches for you
Carnation, striped -- Refusal
China rose -- Beauty always new
Chrysanthemum -- Love
Clover, four leaved -- "Be mine"
Coreopsis -- Love at first sight
Cuckoo pint -- Ardor
Daffodil -- Regard
Daisy -- Innocence, new-born, "I share your sentiment"
Fennel -- Flattery
Fern -- Sincerity
Forget-Me-Not -- True love
Furze or Gorse -- Enduring affection
French Marigold -- Jealousy
Gardenia -- Ecstasy
Gentian -- Loveliness
Geranium -- "You are childish"
Hare bell -- Grief
Heartsease -- "I am always thinking of you"
Honeysuckle -- Bonds of love
Heather -- Admiration
Hyacinth -- I am sorry, Please forgive me
Ice Plant -- "Your appearance freezes me"
Ivy -- Fidelity, friendship, marriage
Jasmine -- Grace
Jonquil -- "I hope for return of affection"
Lavender -- Luck, devotion
Lemon Balm -- Sympathy
Lilac -- First love
Lily -- Purity, modesty
Lily of the Valley -- Purity, the return of happiness
Lily, Calla -- Beauty
Marigold -- Health, grief or despair
Marjoram -- Kindness, courtesy
Myrtle -- Fidelity
Oregano -- Joy
Orchid -- Love, beauty, refinement
Pansy -- Loving thoughts
Periwinkle -- Happy memory
Phlox -- Agreement
Poppy, red -- Consolation
Primrose -- I can't live without you
Rose, cabbage -- Ambassador of love
Rose, red -- Love
Rose, pink -- Grace, beauty
Rose, yellow -- Friendship
Rosemary -- Remembrance, constancy
Rue -- Contrition
Sage -- Gratitude, domestic virtue
Snowdrop -- Hope
Star of Bethlehem -- Purity
Sweet Pea -- Departure, tender memory
Sweet William -- Gallantry
Tuberose -- Voluptuousness
Tulip, red -- My perfect lover, Reclamation of love
Violet -- Loyalty, modesty, humility
Violet, blue -- Faithfulness
Wormwood -- Grief
Wheat -- Riches of the continuation of life
Willow, weeping -- Mourning
Wallflower -- Fidelity
Yew -- Sorrow


The Rose

The Rose is the flower whose meaning we most understand, but here are some details of the meaning of the Rose that may be of further interest.

Rose, Black – You are my obsession
Rose, Champagne – You are tender and loving
Rose, Leonidas – Sweet love
Rose, Nicole – You are graceful and elegant, aristocratic
Rose, Orange – You are my secret love
Rose, Pink – Brilliant complexion; the glow of your smile; perfect happiness
Rose, Red – Passionate love; I love you
Rose, Single Stems – Simplicity
Rose, White – I am worthy of you; spiritual love; Innocence and Purity; Secrecy and Silence
Rose, White and Red – We are inseparable
Rose, White and Red Mixed – Unity; Flower emblem of England
Rose, White, Dried – Death is preferable to loss of virtue
Rose, Yellow – Friendship; Jealousy; I am not worthy
Rose, Bridal – Happy Love
Rose, Dark Crimson – Mourning
Rose, Hibiscus – Delicate beauty
Rose, Tea – I’ll remember always
Rose, Thornless – Love at first sight
Roses, Bouquet of Mature Blooms – Gratitude


Multiple Roses

Single bloom red Rose – Love at first sight or I still love you
Single Rose, any color – Gratitude or simplicity
2 Roses – Mutual feelings
3 Roses – I love you
7 Roses – I’m infatuated with you
9 Roses – We’ll be together forever
10 Roses – You are perfect
11 Roses – You are my treasured one
12 Roses – Be mine
13 Roses – Friends forever
15 Roses – I’m truly sorry
20 Roses – I’m truly sincere towards you
21 Roses – I’m dedicated to you
24 Roses – Forever yours
25 Roses – Congratulations
50 Roses – Unconditional love
99 Roses – I will love you all the days of my life
108 Roses – Will you marry me?
999 Roses – I love you till the end of time


What To Do

With the lists above you should be able to assemble a meaningful gift of flowers or a bouquet that conveys a complex thought. Wrap the flowers appropriately and present them in a significant manner. Then, just to be certain that your efforts are not misinterpreted, include a card that fully explains the meaning of your flowers.

After a few flower presentations you should be able to drop the explanatory notes and begin enjoying and sharing the silent language of flowers.

How Can I Find A Girlfriend?

There are many good ways to find girlfriend. In this article, we will discuss one of the best methods to find your girlfriend.

1) Through A Dating Agency.

I believe there will be several dating agencies in your home town. You may want to consider going there. The advantage of doing so is that you are able to specify the characteristics of the girls you want to meet. Furthermore, the girls who join those dating agencies are already open to meeting more guys.

If there are no dating agencies near your home town, you can always consider online dating sites. All you need is an internet connection. The fact that you are reading this article means you have already met the criteria.

There are many online dating sites on the internet. You can easily use the search engine to do your own research and find out which are the more reputable ones. If you are not too keen to do research, I can give you two recommendations here.

If you are just looking for activity partners, you may want to consider Friendfinder. Who knows, you may also meet your future wife here. If you are specifically looking for a long term relationship, the eHarmony is a good dating site to go to.

Of course, these are other online dating sites that provide very good services but it beyond the scope of this article to discuss them in details. Do take note that there are also dating sites that cater to a particular group of audience, for example Christians, senior citizens, etc.

If you are considering online dating, do learn more about online dating safety. When you proceed with knowledge about what to avoid, online dating can be a very fun and fulfilling experience.

Discover whether a girl wants to be kissed within 30 seconds. You will also discover how to get a girl's real phone number within 3 minutes of meeting her and many other secrets that most men will never know about women.

Visit http://www.dateinlove.com to find out more.

Sexy Things That Will Make Your New Man Crazy

1. Believe it or not many men find it sexy when their woman is interested in the same things they are. Try to get yourself involved in his interests, just be sure to do it in a way that subtly brings attention back to you.

2. It may sound a little corny, but going out and getting some sexy undergarments can really spice up your intimate moments. This can be especially true at this early stage when you are still trying to discover each other sensually.

3. Have a contest with your man where you engage in some form of game play that can eventually lead to the bedroom. Exchange naughty secrets of what you would like to do to each other during the game.

4. Try to find out what one of his fantasies is without asking him and work that into a sexual encounter in a way that will not only surprise him, but will also showcase your willingness to participate in fun and creative sex games.

5. Go to an adult toy store together and explore the store. There may be things in there that are odd and unusual, but most likely you will find things that the two of you might enjoy doing together.

6. If you are at the end of a particularly good date, lean over and whisper to him that you are not wearing any underwear and see how big his eyes get.

7. Trust him with one of your fantasies. Men can find it very sexy just to think that their women have fantasies, and when they are willing to share these secrets it can make it even hotter in the relationship.

8. Cook dinner for him one night in the nude, but do not let him touch you until after you have both finished eating. The sensual act of watching you move around without clothes can build to a very interesting night.

9. Make the first moves on him. There is nothing more exciting than when a woman lets a man know that he is sexually desired.

10. Blindfold him and experiment with touching his skin in different places by doing things like letting your hair caress his chest, face, back, thighs and other parts of his body. If you do this right you can get him really excited to the point where he may just grab you and want to make love to you.

To find out the quickest way to make your man fall madly in love with you, visit http://smartwomansguide.com. You will get proven tips, tricks and techniques you can use to make your love sizzle and make your man fall head over heels in love with you.

How To Marry A Wealthy Guy

How To Marry A Wealthy Guy

(or Girl... Or at least Make Sure they're a Good Money Manager!! ha,ha!)

Here are some little tips so you can at least spot a wealthy (or soon-to-be-wealthy) guy:

1. If that BMW he's driving is most likely leased, you may be looking at a guy who owes a whole lot of money to someone else... It's pretty easy to LOOK rich. You might want to check out the guy in the Truck or not-so-new-but-still-nice vehicle -- chances are high that he's the one who's been saving his bucks, and has the ability to make a whole lot more of them!

2. High Maintenance Women are great for High Maintenance Men -- are you willing to be a Barbie forever? Think you ever want to just kick back and enjoy your life? Probably not with this guy -- he'll demand perfection -- his mother will, too, and yes, she'll definitely come with the package. (Hey, I don't know why these guys are like that -- it's just a part of the special -- and sometimes anal retentive -- package that you can often get with the Rich and Famous!)

3. Wealthy Men are really looking for down-to-earth women who won't blow their budget. (Go ahead... make all your jokes here...I'll wait! ...) They are open to friendly women who would make easy companions -- fun to talk with who can get down to business when they need to -- which is fairly often -- that's how wealth is made and kept! He wants to be married for life, since he is seriously trying to avoid losing half of his wealth-to-date in a Divorce.

Now, here's a difference between a Rich Man and a Wealthy Man...a Rich Man is a fellow with a tremendous amount of money, and often he is looking for a 'Trophy Wife'. A Wealthy Man is someone who has worked really hard for his money and who wants to not only keep it, he wants to make sure it grows. The Wealthy Man is looking for a Partner to work along side him in this growth business, and help him keep his life running smoothly, then the whole family is much happier.

Remember that the Type of Work that a Wealthy Man does may not match what is typically thought of as a 'monied position'. The old thinking was that only Doctors and Lawyers were the ones with money (this doesn't include Athletes, since they are few and far between, and we're talking about men you might actually come in contact with on any given day..!). Enterpreneurs, Contractors, Teachers (yes, some teachers are really, really good money managers, and are able to amass all sorts of wealth!), People in Construction and Real Estate, and let's not forget Computers! Almost any line of work can lead a person down the Road to Wealth -- it's all about Money Management, not necessarily how much you make in any given year.

Keep an open mind when you meet a new person to see what they're really all about. You'll ensure a better future for yourself if you hook up with a man who has a solid understanding of Wealth Management. A guy with a really high salary who spends like a fiend (and NOT on Real Estate! ha,ha!) in order to APPEAR Wealthy will be more difficult to get ahead with than someone who earns less but manages his money well.

4. Hang out at Boat Shows -- those guys are typically loaded. They have to be to buy a boat and then actually take it out on the water. If you're lucky enough to live near water, hang about (not leeringly...) at the Docks. Who knows who you might run into...? Hey, Building and Home Shows are great, too -- maybe you'll get some great ideas while you're there, too!

Don't forget to pop into shops where the wealthy go -- the Home Improvement Stores, Stationary Supply Stores, the Jean Stores (yes, contrary to popular opinion, many wealthy men wear jeans!) and, of course, the grocery and liquor stores!

I'm not sure why Bars got such a bad rap -- especially Dance Bars and Cool Pubs. They're fun to hang out at with your friends, and perhaps you'll meet someone nice. Keep in mind that 'the wealthy' generally didn't start out that way -- you might find a diamond in the rough!

Sports Games are great, too (small plug -- I'd like to see every Sports Team out there with their own Logo on a Buff so when you went to games there'd be a whole SEA of Buffs for each side -- if you know someone interested in that, for Goodness Sake have them contact me! Pweeeease!) Back to the games -- want a manly man? Check out the local Rugby matches... Love Hockey or Basketball? Try to catch the NHL and MBA (whooops! Slight trip of the tongue, there! Although those MBA guys are great, too...) ... Should be NBA Games, then go meet the Players -- there's usually a cool Bar in or nearby the Arena where you could 'mingle'! No gushing, though -- play it calm and collected -- they'll appreciate the lack of craziness! All the people you will meet in this scenario will be interesting, so keep your mind open and make some new friends.

Just one little tidbit about going out with a group of girls -- watch out for the 'group syndrome', where some poor soul comes over to ask you to dance and there's a quick and seldom subtle 'group decision' about 'whether he should be permitted a dance or not'... ugh. Everybody hates this -- it's not High School anymore ... always make your own decision about who you like and be kind whenever you can. It's very hard for a man to approach a woman in a group (all the more reason not to always travel in packs!), so if you're not offended by the guy, one little dance is the polite thing to do. Unless it's a slow song, and he's been leering at you all night, in which case a simple 'No Thanks. Maybe a Fast dance later on...' ought to work. Strike up some conversations and have some fun!

5. Learn how to cook. No kidding. Check out my favorite recipes on the Tips & Recipes Page, and try your hand at one of the recipes. I haven't met a man, yet, who doesn't love Cheesecake, so give that one a shot! Hey, you'll have a lovely treat for you and your girlfriends while you seek out that guy! You don't need to cook everything, it's just very useful to have a couple of signature dishes that you can make that will be fun to make for your new guy!

6. Have (and go to...) parties with other single people. Make them pre-timed in the afternoon, if it's too weird to have one in the evening. Say, from 2:00pm - 4:00pm on a Sunday. Have each friend you invite bring another single person. Be sure to include your 'couple friends', too -- they are great sources for single folk! At the very least, you might make a new friend or business acquaintance. Sunday works, since you're more likely to get into a restaurant if you like someone enough to continue the conversation over dinner.

7. Speaking of Dinner Out -- this is a very good sign of what kind of man you're dealing with -- a fellow who makes it clear in advance of the meal that it's his treat is a good guy. Not in a weird way, though -- if he goes on and on that he's going to pay, and it's a huuuge deal, forget it. This guy's crazy with his money, and you don't want to date a guy like this, let alone marry him!) If he wants to share the tab on the first date, watch out. Don't worry about that old thing where everything should be equal or you won't be on equal footing. If you like him, you can offer to pick up the tab on the next meal... Just the offer of reciprocation is very indicative of your willingness to be equal partners, and that's what he's looking for.

Now, of course, if you ask him out, you should also be prepared to foot the bill. Don't feel like you have to hit the best restaurant in town -- you could have a nice picnic in the Park, or have him over to your place for dinner (if you've already had a few dates and you're comfortable with this).

I actually had a 'blind date' years ago where the fellow brought a Grocery List and a Recipe for me to make dinner for him -- can you believe that?? And to think he's still single -- who'da thunk that?! I couldn't believe it, so I suggested just going out for Chinese, and guess who paid the bill -- me! I couldn't get rid of him fast enough... (just so you know, this guy was no poor soul -- I was poorer than dirt at the time, but he was an Architect and Professor... see how important knowing how they deal with money is? Being with a man whose wallet squeaks and dust puffs out when he finally opens it is a nightmare to be married to -- he'll control his own and your money for the entire marriage.) And you always thought it was just a little meal!

8. Be yourself -- no need to put on any airs. That's no fun and you want someone who will love you, not some made-up version of yourself. You know you're lots of fun to be around -- let him see that, too!

9. Be confident. Know that you are worthy of being with him -- and make sure he is worthy of being with you. Money isn't everything -- sometimes it comes with a great big jerk at the end of the leash! (Ha, ha! I'm amusing myself, now, with that dog analogy!) Be extra careful not to get too swept up in the cars and houses (although, I've been known to be swayed by a gorgeous home in the past...and currently, too! And a really gorgeous pool could still turn my head! ha,ha!). It's the guy you have to live with, so might as well pretend that the other stuff isn't in the picture and see if you still like him. (Although, truth be told, there's many a man who would be all alone if it weren't for their many attractive 'assets'! ha!)

10. Well, ladies, go out there and find the man of your dreams! Hey, find two or three! You might need a back-up, just in case! Good Luck!

Remember that Wealth can be measured by many things -- a Wealth of Possibilities is sometimes even more fun in a mate than finding everything ready-made. Then you can then grow in your Wealth, together. Doesn't that sound like fun? Plus, Rich to one person might mean being able to pay all the bills without worrying, and to the next person 'Rich' might mean having the biggest Yacht in the Habour. Make up your own mind about 'How much does it take to be Wealthy', and you'll be well on your way to your own Personal Wealth and Happiness!

Recognizing Patterns in Your Relationships

s a psychotherapist specializing in couples therapy, I often hear a familiar, and largely avoidable, lament: “I always pick the wrong person. The chemistry always seems great in the beginning, but over time I discover that my relationships always fall into the same negative patterns, almost as if they were carbon copies of each other.” Does this sentiment sound familiar?

The above case is a perfect example of how people are often "burned" due to continual attraction to the same kind of person, and for a number of reasons. First, many folks allow their heart rule to rule their head, but a healthy dose of each is necessary to gain critical perspective. Also, they look for relationships or marriage to heal old emotional wounds inflicted by parents or former lovers. As a result, we are often attracted to people who are psychologically carbon copies of a person - often a parent - by whom we never felt truly accepted. Therefore, we unconsciously hope that if we can make someone love us that maybe we could have gotten that parent to love us. Then something unique occurs: the spouse essentially represents two people - the spouse AND the wounding authority figure. Problems occur when the person in a relationship with “two” people is willing to endure almost double the amount of abuse and negativity before giving up trying to win over that person.

Amazingly, upon getting a divorce many people fall in love again with a similar type of person. One of my most memorable clients was a husband beginning therapy with his sixth wife, complaining that he was incredibly unlucky to have gotten “stuck” with someone with whom he was ultimately incompatible. Obviously, that sentiment did nothing but steer him toward another divorce!

So how do we become unstuck? First, we must engage in critical self-reflection. Recognizing negative relationship patterns and behaviors is just the beginning however, because eventually we must deal with underlying childhood emotions before we can free ourselves in the present. Rather than be enslaved by the past, therapy can provide the tools to help us mourn past maltreatment rather than repeat past mistakes. Most important, this process begins the road to self-acceptance.

Remember: Falling in love, especially when the chemistry seems “just right” indirectly implies a secret and magical element. However, it is vital to recognize that the presence of chemistry, lust, or love should not imply the absence of critical self-reflection.

Why Does God Allow So Much Suffering?

Many people find it difficult to believe in God due to the amount of suffering and pain that they see and hear each and every day of their lives. They ask a simple but very important question, if there is a God why is there so many wicked people in the world and why does he allow people to suffer so much? Why does God not just step in to help those who are in such pain? In this article I will be attempting to answer these questions.

When God created Adam and Eve he gave them a free will to choose amongst other things; what they ate, where they went and what they spoke. They were able to live in a garden paradise under the rule of God.

A spirit creature, known as Satan, wanted to gain control of all human beings and tempted Adam and Eve by stating that God was with holding something wonderful from them. Adam and Eve went against God and listened to Satan. They therefore decided to become independent of God, thinking that this would improve their lives.

This would have been very upsetting for God, he had created these perfect humans, had given them a paradise to live in and they then rebelled. Satan was now also challenging God, teasing him by stating that other people would challenge his rule if things did not go their way.

God has therefore enabled us the chance to see if we are able to live without his rule. He knows that we will not be able to, however wants us to realise that we can not and that Satan is also incapable of leading us to happiness. He has promised that better things are to come in the form of a paradise for those who believe. I personally just hope that this paradise comes about some time soon as I hate to see people suffering.

How To Break The "Can't Get No Sleep" Cycle

Does this describe you? You're tired all day long, but when night comes you can't fall asleep. When morning dawns, if you have managed to fall asleep, you can't imagine crawling out to face another day. You're irritable all the time, and that's just not normal for you. You can't seem to make a decision on anything. Things you used to be able to do are really difficult now. You've told yourself "I can't get no sleep" so many times, you actually believe you may never get a good night's sleep ever again.

If this describes how you feel, then you are almost certainly suffering from insomnia and sleep deprivation. Something is making it impossible for you to sleep well -- this is the insomnia. Not being able to sleep for just a few nights is enough to cause sleep deprivation. When you've been deprived of the sleep you need, you're literally an accident waiting to happen. Road accidents, injuries on the job, bad decisions -- practically anything is possible when you haven't had enough sleep. In fact, the symptoms of sleep deprivation are virtually indistinguishable from alcohol intoxication.

It's essential that you break out of the cycle. Finding the cause of your insomnia should be your single-minded focus. Insomnia is often a side effect of prescription medications. Are you taking any long-term medications for a physical or mental condition? Don't stop taking anything without talking to your doctor. But you should tell your physician about your problems sleeping -- there may be alternatives available.

Of course many people have insomnia with no medications at all. Sometimes the cause of your sleeplessness are specific choices you're making every day. How much caffeine do you take in every day, and at what times? You may want to cut down or eliminate caffeine to see if it makes a difference in your sleep patterns. The same goes for alcohol. You might think it helps you sleep, but the opposite is true. As your body processes the alcohol, it actually produces a stimulant that wakes you up later.

If medication is not the problem, many people find that some new habits can eliminate insomnia. But if you need more help, try some of the natural sleep remedies that are available. They are safer, more effective and carry less risk of dependency than prescription sleeping pills. And please, please, stop saying over and over "I can't get no sleep." If you tell yourself that often enough, you'll begin to believe it. Try affirming your ability to sleep instead.

5 Tips to Avoid Sexual Assault

Sexual assault is not an occasional happening, on the contrary a woman is assaulted every 2 and a half minutes in the United States. When you consider that at least half of the assaults go unreported, that is a staggering number of women and girls whose lives are affected negatively by this trauma.

Dr. Michael Scolatti, a psychologist who works with sexual offenders says, “Even though it happens to the individual, it is a public health problem because it affects so many spheres of a person’s life. 20% of clinical depression can be traced to being sexually abused, two-thirds of the women who are in substance abuse treatment centers have a history of sexual abuse and 80% of the eating disorders have a root cause of some kind of sexual trauma.”

In the interest of prevention, communities need to do more to empower, educate and support those who are the most vulnerable. Again, Dr. Scolatti said, “This is a problem to all people in the community, not just the victim. It affects the family, employers, co-workers, interactions with others, because of the lack of trust. The ripple affect of sexual trauma has long reaching tentacles.”

Tips to teach the women we love:

1. If you are attacked, always remember the elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!

2. If you are mugged and the robber asks for your purse, don’t hand it to him but throw it away from you. Then run like crazy in the other direction.

3. Use your loudest voice to scream for help, but if there is no one around, scream “NO!” and hold your hand in a stop position as you are backing away.

4. If someone should jump in your car and hold a gun to your head, do not drive off. Instead put your foot on the gas pedal and speed into something. The airbag will save you, and as quick as the car hits, jump out and run.

5. Be aware of your circumstances at all times. If you feel you are being followed, go to a public building and call 911. Do not take a chance.

Trust your gut

As humans, we are all blessed with an inner voice that gives us warnings and promptings. If something or someone does not feel right, then leave the area as soon as possible. Do not try to argue with your institution.

Sexual Assault is not about Sex

Sexual assault is about power, control, anger and feelings of inadequacy on the part of the offender. It is acting out of these thought patterns which focuses on those weaker and more vulnerable, which puts others at risk. Men, women and children who have been forced into sexual situations which were not consensual or where there was an unequity of power, should feel no blame or shame. It behooves us as a community to offer support for victims and speedy criminal charges and incarceration for those who would violate our most vulnerable members.

Quick Tips for Looking More Beautiful

We all want to look beautiful. There is always something that we don't like when we look in the mirror. Before you run out and buy overpriced beauty products, try some of these little tricks and see if they work for you as they did for many others.

How many of us struggle with dark circles? I know I have felt like I've had dark circles since I was young and now that I am getting a little bit older, they are getting more and more noticeable. Even with concealer it doesn't seem to do the trick. A lot of people get a concealer that is a shade lighter than their foundation. Why do people do this? Get a concealer that matches your skin tone.

If you want your hair to shine without buying expensive hair products just follow this simple recipe. Mix fresh orange juice, water, a tablespoon of honey and any time of vegetable oil. Rub that on your hair and keep it on for a couple of minutes and your hair will look shiny and healthy.

Full lips have become a beauty trend the last couple of years. Before you Botox, try applying your lipstick then apply a lip gloss. Even regular Vaseline can make your lips look plumper. Also, there are a couple of different products at your local drug store that make your lips fuller.

Whitening your teeth has also become a huge beauty trend. There are many over the counter teeth whiteners that work really well. If you do not want to spend the money, try finding a color of lipstick that makes your teeth look whiter. There are even brands that do the searching for you.

The last beauty trend is having a tan. Don't run to the tanning salon yet, there are great self tanners out there that are so much better for your skin than the harmful UV rays that you get while tanning.

Whatever your problem, there is a quick and easy solution; you just have to try the right one.

Clean Technology Investing - The Future Is Here

For almost decades now, humans have been battling the after effects of technology and development. Its impact on the environment has already begun to show up. Global Warming is one of the gravest dangers being faced by mankind today. This is one of the reasons why clean technology has become such an important part of development today.

Clean technology investing is a thing of the future, say venture capitalists. But what is clean technology?

Clean technology is any technology that uses raw materials like water, air and electricity more effectively and produces minimum toxic waste from it.

In simpler terms, it is technology that has a minimum impact on the environment and at the same time gives a much better output in terms of profit. It is also known as 'cleantech' in short. The applications of cleantech are many. For example, energy, water filtration, electrical vehicles etc.

What makes it lucrative for investors?

The growth of 'cleantech' in the last few years has been significant. While cleantech companies only represented about one percent of all American investments about 5 years ago, it has risen to almost 7 percent now. This number is set to further increase. Automation technologies that for energy management is set to rise to $5 billion in the next few years.

By the year 2012, the global wind energy market is estimated to touch $28 billion. The energy infrastructure in the US has been clearly underinvested and this has cost the US billions of dollars.

This is one of the sectors where cleantech has made massive inroads in. Similarly, the water sector is another area that is undergoing considerable development.

The growing number of attractive deals

In the last three to four years, there have been almost 500 investment transactions in Cleantech. The number of deals is set to rise even further. This is what makes it one of the best investment options